Decolorization characteristics and mechanism of Victoria Blue R removal by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus YC210

► A. calcoaceticus YC210 has been isolated and successfully removes Victoria Blue R (VBR) from aqueous solution. ► The decolorization efficiency of VBR was 94.5% by A. calcoaceticus YC210 at pH 5-7 in a short time. ► The optimal cell concentrations for VBR decolorization was 108 cfu/ml. ► The apparent kinetic parameters of the Lineweaver-Burk equation, RVBR,max and Km, were 6.93 mg-VBR/g-cell/h and 175.8 mg/l, respectively. ► VBR degradation by A. calcoaceticus YC210 involving a stepwise demethylation process to yield partially dealkylated VBR species was first revealed.